This especially is true when worker attitudes and behaviors must be changed, as this is a major obstacle. Theres one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant. Jun 30, 2014 theres one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant. This program discusses common industrial knife safety rules and work practices for each cutting task to prevent disabling lacerations, which often require months of intensive therapy for recovery. Steps 27 outline what you should do to manage the risks of using hand knives in the workplace. This safe use of knives sign is designed for use in the uk. In that time, the enclosed blade and retractable safety knives supplied to our wide ranging customer base have helped to greatly reduce knife accidents in the workplace. Stop cutting and place the knife on a flat, secure surface if interrupted.
With box cutters and utility knives being so common and easy to use, some people make the mistake of thinking that they are completely safe to use. Safety in the workplace is a key concern for management across all industries, especially when employees are using knives and cutting instruments. Knife safety in the workplace utility knives and box cutters are common in todays workplace. Following these basic housekeeping rules may help to keep. Does anyone else have any safety issues with the use of stanley knives for cutting activities we have recently tried to do away with stanley knives and use scissors instead but this has proved unsucessful and may have to go back to using knives. We offer speedy delivery and free uk mainland shipping on orders of more than. Where required, our products are designed to conform to uk government regulations or follow best practice. You should always use a cutting motion that directs a knife blade away from your body. Educating and training employees on the proper practices for the safe use of tools will help reduce or eliminate injuries and will contribute to workplace productivity and profit. How to reduce the health and safety risks of using knives in the meat and food industries. Tools or equipment with sharp blades or edges can include. Workplace safety procedures workplace safety in the. We will also discuss reasons why knife accidents occur and what you can do to follow safe steps when using a knife, at home and at work. Safety knives take many shapes and forms, but they touch almost every workplace with daily use.
Select the correct knife for the work you are undertaking. This safe work practice swp will provide yg employees with a set of guidelines or dos and donts that have been developed to mitigate hazards associated with this work task, as identified through your workplace hazard identification process. Inspect the utility knife for damage and dull blade prior to use. Does anyone have any advice on the safe use of stanley knives being used in the plastic industry. By federal regulation, osha reserves a license to use and disseminate such material for the purpose of promoting safety and health in the workplace. Utility knife safety safety toolbox talks meeting topics. Safe use of knives in the meat and food industry worksafe. Usually pay attention to safe use of knives in the workplace. For example, a knife should not be used as a pry bar, can opener, chisel, punch, awl, scraper, or screwdriver. Apr 01, 2015 1 keep knives sharpened, and let other staff know when knives are newlysharpened. Safe use of knives in the kitchen health and safety.
Dec 11, 2019 clean knives with dish soap and warm water after use. Many workers use utility knives to cut drywall, ceiling tile, strapping, puncture shrinkwrap and open packaging. Our primary focus is on reducing lacerations, one of the most common workplace injuries. Knife safety in the workplace american training resources. The grantees hereby authorize employers and workplace safety and health professionals to use this material, distributed by or through osha, in their workplaces or practices in accordance with the. Knives and cutting what dangers are lurking in your workplace. This video describes a safe work practice for knives used in the construction industry. All yg employees performing this work task are required to be. Verifying the suitability of safety knives pharmaceutical and food industries may require metal detectable knives that can be easily cleaned in an autoclave while other may prefer the disposable variety that doesnt risk cross contamination. Knife safety in the workplace this easytouse leaders guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Wipe down knives immediately after use with a clean towel to remove food bits and other gunk from the blade of the knife. Use bull nose knives rather than pointedend knives where possible. Preventing or reducing occupational injuries and workers compensation claims should be a priority for all organizations. Knives can cut you, whether theyre super sharp or very dull.
Place a damp cloth under a cutting board to prevent slipping. Where user trials are recommended, they are not a substitute for you assessing suitability for safe use. But one wrong move and these retractable blades can do serious harm. Knife safety tips kitchen knife handling and safety. This week we will discuss knife safety and the different levels of approved cutting devices. Slice utility knives are the tool of choice for cutting materials that are thicker than doublewalled corrugate. Very sharp knives can easily cut skin, and dull knives can slip, putting you at risk for losing control and getting cut.
But one wrong move and these blades can do serious harm. The most important thing to remember is that a sharp knife is a safe knife. In fact, a precise assessment is the first step to creating and implementing a safe workplace knife culture. The use of handheld knives in the workplace is an obvious hazard, so it is important that employees be aware of the hazards as well as safe work practices specific to your company. Our ever growing range includes slice ceramic blades and cutters as well as bespoke products to meet with customer requirements. Use a knife suitable for the task and for the food you are cutting. Simply putting your knife in a drawer is not safe for your workers or your knife. Ways to minimise the risk train employees in the safe use of knives and safe working practices when sharpening them. In fact, nearly 40 percent of all injuries attributed to manual workshop tools in the us involve knives with retractable blades. Knife cuts to peoples bodies are a common injury in the meat and food industry.
Replacing a dangerous utility knife by mandating the use of a safety utility knife is an excellent start. Sep 17, 2012 this video describes a safe work practice for knives used in the construction industry. Inspect the utility knife for damage and dull blade prior to. Demand safety from every angle occupation health and safety ohs professionals are always looking for new ways to reduce common workplace injuries like lacerations. When not in use, your knives should be stored out of the way of your work space. These cuts, and the seriousness of the cuts, however, can be held to a minimum by using ordinary good sense, by paying attention to the proper safety rules, and by practising proper cutting procedures. To avoid serious accidents always focus on what you are doing, follow a plan with regard to kitchen sanitation, and have required safety gear at your disposal. Train all workers in the safe use of knives, cover topics such as. Utility knives corporate health and safety government. Even using a socalled safety knife has some risk if the safety knife is used incorrectly. And also what youre performing in the kitchen simply because one slide can cause severe injury or even accidents. The longer a knife remains wet and dirty the more the blade and the quality of the steel deteriorates. Educate and train all staff in the safe use of any tool they may use.
Knife safety in the workplace with box cutters and utility knives being so common and easy to use, some people make the mistake of thinking that they are completely safe to use. Available guidance on preventing knife injuries focuses on. However, they are also one of the most dangerous utensils if they are not handled and used correctly and safely. Use a knife only for its intended purpose and use the appropriate knife for the cutting job. To remove the cover from the knife, pinch the end of the handle and the. Clean knives with dish soap and warm water after use. How do we ensure that knives and cutters are used safely in our workplace. These hazards present risks of cuts and other injuries. This document outlines how workplaces can reduce these injury risks. Since 2008, slice has reexamined cutting tool design to create the safest safety knives for work. It is offered in a range of sizematerial options, which are listed below. A designated knife storage space keeps your kitchen organized and also encourages a safe knife routine. There is no question of the benefits of using safety knives in the workplace, but getting the workers to use them can be a challenge.
Keep your fingers and thumbs out of the way of the cutting line. Create a safe workplace insurance claims providers contact login. Related pages previous slide visual effect only next slide visual effect only. Train all workers in the safe use and storage of knives. Q do you have any documents or guidelines relating to training for safe knife use handling in the warehouse workplace a injuries from knives are common in many types of workplaces and warehouses. The correct and safe use of knives includes the following. Your workcover insurance responsibilities as an employer. Good lighting, support for the item being cut and housekeeping are important factors in ensuring knife safety. A successful safety cutter program must start with a strong commitment from management.
Oct 05, 2018 so slice knives are safe but do they do the job too. Use any protective clothing provided by employer such as steel mesh or kevlar gloves. All of our products are supplied with a 14day moneyback guarantee. Utility knives are used in a variety of applications such as shipping, receiving, grocery store stocking, restaurant work, meat packing, construction, manufacturing, and more.
This video demonstrates safe work procedures and shows how to use and store knives properly to prevent cuts to kitchen workers. Knives are used extensively within the fishing sector. Knife safety in the workplace safety knives and cutters. A brief description of the program and the subject that it addresses. Only cut materials appropriate for utility knifes, such as thin cardboard, paper, thin plastics, or shrink wrap. Many workers use utility knives to cut strapping, puncture shrinkwrap and open packaging. The most common concern when using sharp blades or edges is an injury, such as a cut laceration, puncture or an amputation. What to expect if your workplace is inspected by worksafe. Knives in the workplace safety topics december 2019. Grantee materials by topic occupational safety and. Cuts are all too common in commercial kitchens because knives and other cutting implements are constantly in use. The safe use of stanley knives tool box talk agenda issued by.
Only use the tool only for the job it was designed for. Incorrect use and their use in an unstable work environment can result in serious injuries and even amputations. Therefore it is very important to follow safe knife handling procedures at all times. Safe use of knives in the meat and food industry how to reduce the health and safety risks of using knives in the meat and food industries. You must assess the risk of your employees being cut by knives and take reasonable precautions. Here we look at the realworld performance and safety impact of some of the companys most popular workplace cutters. Q do you have any documents or guidelines relating to training for safe knife usehandling in the warehouseworkplace a injuries from knives are common in many types of workplaces and warehouses. This video was produced by the edmonton regional safety committee. This question was recently sent to our ask an expert service. You must ensure that your employees are kept safe from harm so far as is reasonably practicable. Mar 27, 2018 how do we ensure that knives and cutters are used safely in our workplace. All retractable utility knives fall under osha blade guard standards, which simply require that knife blades have a guard when they are not in use. Handle, use, and store knives and other sharp utensils safely. Many workplaces use knives and blades on a regular basis.